Alcohol generally takes about one hour to be metabolized per standard drink consumed. A standard drink is roughly equivalent to one 12-ounce beer, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or one 1.5-ounce shot of distilled spirits

. The body processes alcohol primarily in the liver through enzymes like alcohol dehydrogenase. About 90-98% of alcohol is metabolized by the liver, while a small percentage is eliminated through breath, sweat, and urine

Typical Timeframes for Alcohol to Leave the System:

• For example, if you consume 5 standard drinks, it will take approximately 5 hours for your body to process the alcohol completely

• Blood tests can detect alcohol for up to 12 hours after drinking.
• Breath tests can detect alcohol for 12 to 24 hours.
• Urine tests can detect alcohol for 12 to 24 hours, or up to 72 hours or more after heavy drinking.
• Hair follicle tests can detect alcohol use for up to 90 days

Factors Affecting Alcohol Metabolism:

• Amount and strength of alcohol consumed
• Individual factors such as age, sex, weight, metabolism, liver health
• Food intake before or during drinking
• Genetic factors affecting enzyme levels (e.g., alcohol dehydrogenase)

Important Notes:

• Drinking water, coffee, or taking a shower does not speed up alcohol metabolism; only time allows the liver to process alcohol out of the system

• Heavy or chronic drinking may affect enzyme activity and metabolism rate

In summary, alcohol typically takes about one hour per standard drink to leave your system, but detection times vary by test type and individual factors, ranging from hours in blood and breath to days in urine and months in hair.